Axle Caution.

[Inland RV Center, In]

We have reported in the past, that the 1968 and older Caravels and Bambi's had very small spindles.

Because of that, they are "VERY" prone to failure due to fatigue.

Yesterday, we received a call from an owner in Georgia.

He stated " I went over a railroad track crossing towing my 66 Caravel at a moderate speed. I heard a bang. Then I heard a scraping noise. Something was stopping my tow vehicle and trailer. I got out to see what the problem was.

To my amazement, a tire fell off, but the trailer was almost level. Upon further inspection, the tire fell off on the other side as well.

Both spindles cracked in half, allowing both tires to fall off, at the same time. I knew about the warning, but I put it aside for now."

Accordingly, we are bringing this subject up again, as another caution for those owners.

The 655 spindle used on those models, was border line to start with.

They will fail.

When? Who knows.

We replace at least one of these axles, per week.

Andy

[axleman]

Ouch! The dreaded spindle failure.

I hope the “loose projectiles” traveling freely down the road didn’t come into contact with anyone or anything.

Axles can be a huge liability – if in doubt, change it out.

Regards,
Henry

[markdoane]

I hope you also instructed him to use the crossing next time.

They're usually marked with gates and flashing lights.

[Thealt]

So how are the 22' 67 Safaris?
Alt

[scottanlily]

Well ,that adds the 66 caravel to the list ,as the 65 was the main
one that seemingly had this trouble for the longest time .It would be
prudent for all these caravels of years andy has mentioned to really consider
and axle replacement of whoevers manfacturer they wish ,as long as it gets replaced .Ive not heard of any Bambis breaking spindles ,but Im certainly
not any final word on that ,and folks should check into it .Its those torsion
axles with the small square spindle arm thats the trouble as I recall from
the older threads and photos .

Scott

[05ModPod]

It just blows me away to think of all the money we put into these OLD trailers and yet the most important item that is left to the last is the AXLE!!!

$350-$800.00 What is that - curtains, cushions, how about a Hot water heater and possibly an awning repair - or maybe a set of new propane tanks with regulator....the list goes on - but aren't all those things a mute point if you AS falls out

[Beginner]

Just because its old does not always mean it better.
Just because thats the way its always been done does not mean the old way is always right.
Airplanes used to be made of wood, wire and cloth and had open cockpits.
Automobles used to not have roll up windows, heaters or air conditioners.

Statistics (Andy From Inland RV and this forum) tells us that the older axles with the smaller spindles seem to be prone to failure (spindles break off).
The axles are the third most important part of the vehicle (1. Driver, 2. Tires 3. Running Gear(axles, springs, torsion axles, brake drum balance)) but the most important at the time they fail. Much more important that the afformentioned drapes or upholstry.
So,
Jack it up and take a look at what you have under there. If you have the older smaller axles replace them. It will be far cheaper than waiting for a failure.
To put things in perspective, lets find out how much it costs to replace the axles after failure(injury to innocent bystanders, towing, replacment axle that will have to be fitted because you are in the middle of nowhere and the proper axle is just not available for a number of reasons, repair damage to trailer, frustration at a ruined outing, stress caused by the whole episode) and how much it costs to have the axle replaced before the next season.
Andy, could you help us with some figures please?
Beginner

[Melody Ranch]

66 Caravel? Both axels? O.K. I am convinced this time.

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by Melody Ranch

66 Caravel? Both axels? O.K. I am convinced this time.

Not both "axles," but both "spindles."

Andy

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by Thealt

So how are the 22' 67 Safaris?
Alt

The spindle failure is on the Bambi and Caravel models only.

Andy

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by Beginner

To put things in perspective, lets find out how much it costs to replace the axles after failure(injury to innocent bystanders, towing, replacment axle that will have to be fitted because you are in the middle of nowhere and the proper axle is just not available for a number of reasons, repair damage to trailer, frustration at a ruined outing, stress caused by the whole episode) and how much it costs to have the axle replaced before the next season.
Andy, could you help us with some figures please?
Beginner

Interesting question.

Lets try it this way.

Should you have an axle failure on a Bambi or Caravel, while on your trip, the related costs could be out of sight.

Damage to the underbelly, underbelly wraps, LPG lines, plumbing outlet, could run $1000.00 to $2000.00.

The wrecker could cost $300.00 to $750.00, or more.

The motel for 3 weeks could cost over $1000.00.

It takes 2 weeks to create the axle and a week typically to get it to you.

The meals for a family of two, for 3 weeks could cost $1500.00.

If your a working person, then you lost a paycheck for 3 weeks, cost $1500.00 to $3000.00.

Telephone calls, how many at what cost, who knows?

Inconvenience, tremendous.

Bad language useage, excessive.

Stress, enormous.

Understandably, the cost can run into the thousands.

The cost to replace that axle is $800.00, plus freight, plus perhaps a couple of hundred for labor.

What a "bargain."

Again, fair warning to those owners.

The failure rate is tremendous. The facts are that it "will" fail.

Your choices?

Pay now, at a reasonable cost before it happens, or pay later, when the costs go out of sight since you will have little to no control over them.

We strive to keep that axle in stock at all times, but we do run out.

Time then, becomes the enemy.

Andy

[rickandsandi]

Originally Posted by GT6921

It just blows me away to think of all the money we put into these OLD trailers and yet the most important item that is left to the last is the AXLE!!!

$350-$800.00 What is that - curtains, cushions, how about a Hot water heater and possibly an awning repair - or maybe a set of new propane tanks with regulator....the list goes on - but aren't all those things a mute point if you AS falls out

Right there with you Pete! Right now as I type the axel is being replaced o out Tradewind and we haven't even really seen it yet! Get the job done and it won't get you!

[axleman]

Originally Posted by GT6921

It just blows me away to think of all the money we put into these OLD trailers and yet the most important item that is left to the last is the AXLE!!!

$350-$800.00 What is that - curtains, cushions, how about a Hot water heater and possibly an awning repair - or maybe a set of new propane tanks with regulator....the list goes on - but aren't all those things a mute point if you AS falls out

Wise words indeed!

Regards,
Henry

[05ModPod]

Wise words now maybe - but like so many other unsuspecting newbies - we were right there - not quite understanding how to tell if our axle was good or bad.

Up arm, down arm - bounce this and that we were more into blowing ourselves up with getting the old bowen to work - and spending hours sewing up the new curtains.

The broken windows - sort of pushed us in to the relm of hmmmmmm maybe we are bouncing too much - it did turn out that the windows were a result of expansion rather than bounce - but the shake rattle and roll that was going on inside was definitely the axle. Popping rivets, screws coming out of cupboards - stuff being strewn all over the place and the no fall hangers coming of the pole and dumping the close - the closet door falling off...it was time to get some serious reseach done.....

And that my dear friend is how we met - through Louuuuuuuu baby and then to you Henry. It is sad though - we have now sold the GlobeTrotter and moving up to the Overlander -we will miss her and all the fun we had with her - but as they say - life goes on - we are just glad that we got her all nice and safe for the next 46 years!!!

[axleman]

Originally Posted by GT6921

- we have now sold the GlobeTrotter and moving up to the Overlander -we will miss her and all the fun we had with her - but as they say - life goes on - we are just glad that we got her all nice and safe for the next 46 years!!!

You sold the Globe Trotter?

That's the trailer I met you folks in isn't it?

Regards,
Henry

[05ModPod]

Originally Posted by axleman

You sold the Globe Trotter?

That's the trailer I met you folks in isn't it?

Regards,
Henry

Sort of - you met the GlobeTrotters old axle that we carried in the Old Overlander - and then you met Old Peter and I

We had decided that we would get all new running gear on the 61 before we did anything to it - and since there was nothing in the front and the floor was a mess we basically used the front of it as a cargo trailer - then we slept in it - had a porta poti and a water jug- and a fan cause it was HOT -but no electricity.

Arrived at 1:00 am dead tired and then was wooed to sleep with the forklift buzzing back and forth all night with the huge stock of axles you guys were shipping out on the Monday.

So nope we still have the one you saw - that is our retirement project - taking our time with it.

But the one we use is the one we just sold - but now looking at another little replacement - that airstream bug is really hard to shake once you get it.

[Janets Husband]

When I replaced the axle on our Minuet, I ordered 12' drums vice the 10" originals. I found the axle diameter to be almost twice the original. The 2900 pound trailer, now has axles that will hold up the weight of the world. Well worth the cost, for the peace of mind.

[kitchenclose]

All points in this thread are good. I'm guilty of replacing/repairing all the parts except for the axle and shocks. That's next on my list.

Andy - I'll be calling you shortly. Hit's the pocket book but well worth the safety on the road.

K

[Goin camping]

Originally Posted by kitchenclose

Hit's the pocket book but well worth the safety on the road.

K

Friends, Money is cheap compared to saftey.

[axleman]

Originally Posted by GT6921

Sort of - you met the GlobeTrotters old axle that we carried in the Old Overlander - and then you met Old Peter and I

OK - so the Globe Trotter I did not see, that's the one Peter put the torsion axle on and was very pleased with the results - right?

I believe it is all coming back to me!

Regards,
Henry